Randy Cleveland McKinney, 74, of the Gap Creek Community, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, from Ivy Hall Nursing Home. Randy was born in Elizabethton, but had spent 20+ years in Roan Mountain, before returning to the Gap Creek Community. He was a son of the late C.H. “Pee Wee” McKinney and Ruella Nave McKinney. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an older sister, Charlotte Ann McKinney, in 1984, and a brother-in-law, Steve Payne, in December 2017.
Randy retired from the Northeast Correctional Facility in Mountain City, Tenn. He was a National Guard veteran and a member of the 1962 graduating class at Happy Valley High School. Randy was a member of Big Spring Church of Christ, where he was baptized in 1956. He enjoyed draft horses, wagon trains and farming with horses.
Those left to cherish his memories include two sons, James C. McKinney, of the home, and Matthew L. McKinney and wife Diane of Roan Mountain; two granddaughters, Shellie McKinney and Mattison McKinney, both of Roan Mountain; one grandson, Randall Johnson of Roan Mountain; one sister, Linda M. Payne of the Milligan College Community; one brother, Michael McKinney and companion Susie Bledsoe and Michael’s grandson, Kody Austin, all of Elizabethton; a nephew, Alex Payne and wife Andrea and their daughter, Eva; and two nieces, Krista McKinney Richardson and her sons, Chance McKinney and Lane Richardson, and Kara McKinney Austin. Several cousins also survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Randy Cleveland McKinney will be conducted at 5 p.m. Saturday, December 15, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Mr. Glen Layfield, minister, and Pastor Sherrel Nave officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 3 until 5 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 16, in the McKinney Cemetery, 142 Bear Hollow Road, Elizabethton, Tenn. Active pallbearers will be Joey Grant Nave, Larry Nave, Ralph McKinney, Randall Johnson, Alex Payne, Kody Austin, Chance McKinney and Lane Richardson. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the funeral home at 1:15 p.m. Sunday to go in procession. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Big Spring Church of Christ, 1106 Gap Creek Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family would like to especially thank Victor and Judy Deloach and the nurses and staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home and Randy’s special friend, Norman Miller of Sugarcreek, Ohio. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Mr. McKinney and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.